We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marty Falle. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marty below.
Hi Marty, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project always seems like the latest project for me. I am releasing my new Bluegrass record on August 1, 2024. “Appalachia Rust” is my sixth album.
The project is special to me because I got to work with some of Nashville’s best and brightest, and by the grace of God, was able to create my fifth original project in less than two years. The creative “spigot” has been turned on full blast and does not seem to be quitting. I’m writing, performing and producing the best music of my life.
The “Appalachia Rust” project is bolstered with contributions from a Bluegrass All-Star line-up, which includes Becky Buller (vocals), Dale Ann Bradley (Vocals), Mike Bub (Acoustic Bass), Rob Ickes (Dobro), Josh Matheny (Dobro), Carl Miner (Guitar), Marty Slayton (Vocals), Matt Menefee (Banjo), Kim Parent (Vocals) and Grammy Winning Producer, Jonathan Yudkin (Fiddle and Mandolin).
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I became interested in bluegrass while watching re-runs of The Andy Griffith Show, especially those episodes that featured the music of a fictional band called the Darlings, who were, in truth, that now-revered ensemble better known as The Dillards. My fascination with the form grew from there.
I became more interested in bluegrass while living in Athens, Ohio, I would listen to guys playing banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and dobro at a music store and bluegrass music hit me harder shortly after I was transferred to Eastern Kentucky coal country following my graduation from Ohio University. I was a traveling law book salesman, and the locals took me in and introduced me to bourbon and bluegrass in Renfro Valley.
Those experiences made a lingering impression. Over the years, I have lived in Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, and South Carolina. Real Appalachia influences my songwriting to this day.
My incentive to start singing began much earlier. I was a football player in high school, and also earned my share of detentions. One day, the choir director walked into the detention room, trying to recruit males to join the choir, and he told us would get us out of detention if we joined. It was like a get out of jail free card. He taught me how to sing, and it became a passion.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
The only goal for my music is to actualize the talent that God gave me. Every song is a gift. I don’t want to waste the opportunity. I would be kidding myself if I thought music was a financial vehicle to support my family. I learned a long time ago that love and music do not pay the rent. Songwriting and performing occupy a complete different part of my brain and soul. The urge seems to come out of nowhere. At times, songs appear in dreams. Typically, if I do not write it down, develop it and record it, it will knaw at me until I do. I have been dealing with this “creative affliction” as long as I can remember. If there is a mission to this, I would have to say that I want to write and record the best song I can. Quality and originality are important to me.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Looking back at my musical journey, there are many things I would have changed, but at the same time, I realize that it is all God’s plan. In some ways, I wish I would have never played a cover song and focused exclusively on original music. While I am blessed to have 1oo+ recorded songs, I believe that I left a lot of music in the gutter because of misguided priorities. You never get that time back. Subconsciously, I think I work twice as hard to make up for lost creative opportunities.
I also wish I would have never taken a drink. I started young and drinking was very much a part of the culture. It was the reason you went out. I watched it destroy lives, loves and friendships. I took my last drink 10 years ago and have never gone back. Music and substance abuse do not mix. I no longer want to work with people who get numb to create and play. Nothing good ever comes from it.
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